Well this guy at my DZ is at 55 jumps and just got him a crossfire2 109 loaded at 1.6 I think that beats the cobalt loaded at 1.3 at 127 jumps. I told him what I thought but does that stop him....nope. Just a accident waiting to happen

You know, when I saw this thread, I thought it was just hilarious and made me think of the exact same thing as you. What exactly is this going to prove? Could the wasted time be better served working towards a plan to prevent new jumpers from wanting to downsize/swoop. Could it maybe be used to educate in a less agressive manner? I'd love to see what the purpose/end result of this thread is.

And as we all know, jump numbers aren't the be all say all... 127 jumps jumping a canopy that may be too agressive, or 5000+ jumps and in the same boat. Mistakes happen. I hate to say it, but I could start jumping a Manta 288 again, and femur due to whatever reason, and the trusty DZ.com people would still blame it on my "rapid downsizing", and say something stupid like I didn't get the skills to properly land the 288 because I was busy trying out an elliptical 105. I've already lost in all of your minds...I could upsize to a PERFECTLY safe Sabre2 150 and still femur or kill myself, and all you guys would say...."See, we told you so".

Why doesn't the DZ management take a hand if people need to be protected from themselves?

I keep wondering this time and again.

As to the "old and wise enough"-argument.. apparently they're not.

Our DZO does. More than one fun jumper has gone to a competing DZ because they haven't been allowed to jump a canopy or wear a wingsuit. In this thread folks discuss a letter he sent to Parachutist suggesting that someone who sells someone a canopy for which they are not qualified, should bear some of the responsibility for what happens (if it ever does) to the buyer.

I could upsize to a PERFECTLY safe Sabre2 150 and still femur or kill myself, and all you guys would say.... "See, we told you so".

Maybe all these guys would say..

"You know what, he was heading down the right route, and he had an unfortunate accident/bad judgement call etc"

Im afraid the only response your going to get so far dude, after turning your nose up at advice from countless skydivers like gemini, billvon, skinnyshrek, davelepka, sdctlc (combined jumps of what, 17,000??)

...is one of unbelivable resent for being so ignorant/stubiorn.

Maybe listen to these guys you know?

Get a refund, get the 135 back, do scott millers course, be happy youve just lifted a massive amount of risk of your shoulders...

went from a 230 to a 150 (WL 1.35) at 50 jumps admitedly it was semi eliptical, but i have not femured. I think sometimes we focuss TOOMUCH attention on WL and canopy and not enough on skill level and training.

Ever notice in threads like this it's always the people who have been in the sport less then ten years, with most of um being around only 5 or less years, say crap like this.... There is a whole bunch of those types in this thread!

Just because a few of you got and are still getting lucky don't mean we need to encourge others to be fools. Many of you post all your bullshit talking smack and sound just like Mr. Nelson used too.

Quote:

sorry 'bout your friend(s)...doesn't change my opinion...maybe you think that because you think that you're wiser that your thoughts coincide with the wise. i don't think so. i'll be here tomorrow and the next day, even though you think i know less than you. i appreciate your concern but, in my experience, those with above-average ability progress on a steeper learning curve than the average. don't mean to be a dick, but i've been listening to the bullshit for too long.

Many of you need to go read this guy's post, he was better then the advice he was given too.

all this reminds me of something that happened at my little space in the universe: fellow jumper (in the 5-700 jump range) bought a handkerchief some time ago. he was always complaining about the openings and the landings. turns out that he asked some canopy-piloting guru this summer. his answer was plain simple: if you buy a wild horse you gotta be able to ride it

conclusion: pocket rockets and low jumpers don't mix well and you only survive your landings unhurt as long as you are lucky and you are blessed with ideal conditions. if not: the incidents-forum is full with the possible outcomes. sadly enough (as the recent past tells) it's also seasoned Instructors that get killed